Trucks, Coaches and other Vehicles

This gallery includes the vehicles owned by Encounter Overland between 1964 and 2001. It may not be complete. Photographs are not available for all vehicles. Please advise of any errors or additional vehicles using the Contact form or by email to Lance Thomas at 267oldbrompton@gmail.com. Photos can be sent to the email account.

In brief:

The gallery begins with the ‘original‘ Encounter Overland Land Rover driven by Harry Marsh and Tony Jones to the subcontinent in 1964.

Austin K9s were the first vehicles used when Encounter Overland began operating in 1967. K9s were used in both Asia and for the first Trans-Africa Southbound. These could carry 12 Expedition Members (EMs).

Two Land Rovers were driven to India and then shipped to Malaya in 1969 to operate reconnaissance expeditions in Southeast Asia.

4×4 Bedford RLs and M-types then became the mainstay of the fleet in Asia and Africa during the 1970s and 1980s. RLs were first used in Africa. These carried 20 EMs. A Land Rover painted in EO colours was used on one of the early Africa three-truck expeditions.

Many of the M-types were re-registered as ‘Q reg’ vehicles in the latter part of the 1980s. This was because in the United Kingdom the last letter of the registration number signified the vehicle’s first year of registration, and some vehicles, by that metric, were quite old, notwithstanding they were regularly refurbished in the workshops to a ‘better than new’ standard.

Two 6×4 vehicles based on Bedford KM chassis were built by EO. These could each carry 24 EMs and were used only on the Trans-Asia expeditions.

Two 4×4 Bedford RLs were shipped from the United Kingdom to South America for the first South and Central America Reconnaissance expeditions. These were then replaced by 4×2 vehicles – a Dodge 500, a GMC, Dodge Hi-Line’s, a Bedford KM, a Bedford TL, and later Ford Cargo’s. All vehicles except the GMC were built in the UK and shipped to the Americas. The GMC was built in California.

Only the first two expeditions in South America included Central America. Central America expeditions were run as a separate program. A Dodge Van was purchased to operate these expeditions but ultimately proved unsuitable. The Bedford KM was built for Central America but later shipped to South America.

Encounter Overland had several support vehicles in the UK, Nepal, California and South Africa.

The original Encounter Overland vehicle of 1964 – Land Rover 2191NX

Asia and Africa Trucks

Austin K9s

The (original) two K9s used on the Encounter Overland expedition to Asia in 1967 were YNK229F and YNK230F. They were then in their original military livery. These photos show them being overhauled at Wren Park.

YNK229F being prepared for overhaul. Hector Rumball on left and Rob Rumball on right

YNK229F front and YNK230F at rear

YNK229F

YNK229F after its first rebuild and respray

Selection/training expedition to Iran, Spring 1969

This was the start of Encounter Overland’s first selection/training trip – to Iran, Spring, 1969 – led by Stuart Jenkins. The photo was taken at Dover. (YNK229F had just returned from a North Africa (Morocco, Algeria) trip led by Tony Weldon and Jonathan Kickham.) Chris Marks on the far left.

YNK229F sank through the crust in the salt desert in Iran – the Dasht-e Lut . After 24 hours digging the truck still could not be extracted. Eventually, a tractor was found to pull it out. Standing on the left is Stuart Jenkins eating beans from a can, Larry Weiss is standing next to Stuart and on the far right is Larry, a freelance photographer from the USA. Clive Imrie is seated in the back of the truck.

YNK229F sank through the crust in the salt desert in Iran – the Dasht-e Lut . After 24 hours digging the truck still could not be extracted. Eventually, a tractor was found to pull it out. Larry Weiss is standing next to the truck; Martin Hayes is on the right.

JNM669F

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KBM345G

KBM346G

Encounter Overland’s first Trans-Africa expedition

KBM346G being prepared for 18 June 1969 departure for Calcutta. (See Vaculug’s International Review magazine (Autumn 1969) On the wheel brace is Peter Hobbs, Manager of Briggs National Tyre Service, Bedford

Encounter Overland’s first Trans-Africa expedition – with Tony Jones (probably dressed up for an embassy visit!)

Other photos

213TM (Trade Plates)

Austin K9 at Wren Park with trade plates 213TM

Southeast Asia Land Rovers

KXE4D (grey) and one other (green)

After driving overland from the United Kingdom, the two Land Rovers were shipped from Madras to Penang for the reconnaissance expeditions in Southeast Asia in late 1969. No photos are currently available.

Bedford RLs

223BGF

223BGF South of In Salah December 1976 (Bob Arnold driving)

223BGF – Bogged at Oasis at El Golea December 1976

223BGF – First Africa Northbound 1972

223BGF – First Africa Northbound 1972

224BGF

225BGF

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 (EM Gavin Robertson)

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 (EM Gavin Robertson)

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 (EM Gavin Robertson)

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 (EM Gavin Robertson)

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 Joburg departure (EM Gavin Robertson)

225BGF Northbound Africa 1973 – Agadez (EM Gavin Robertson)

226BGF

Africa Northbound September 1975 led by Freddy Glaser (who left the trip in Nairobi and handed over to John Scully), Bob Sheldon, Alan Townsing. The photo was taken mid-November 1975 between Yambio and Zemio, Central African Empire (between Juba and Bangassou)

230BGF

DHV541H

NAH814F

NAH814F (on right) (Rein Kamar)

NAH814F (EM Rod Jenkin) 1977 Eastbound Asia

NAH814F (EM Rod Jenkin) 1977 Eastbound Asia meets Westbound SVC339H

NMJ259M

NMJ259M First Africa Northbound 1972 (Alfred Glaser)

NMJ259M First Africa Northbound 1972 (Alfred Glaser)

PMJ306J

PMJ306J – extracted from South America brochure

PMJ308J

PMJ311J

PMJ311J – This photo was taken on the first EO single vehicle southbound Africa (4th trans Africa) led by Peter Ogden (his first trip) and Martin Watkinson. It was a petrol RL and suffered from carburettor petrol evaporation in the southern Sahara – hence part of radiator grill cover removed. The trailer was sold at Half Way House, between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia at the time), to finance the last week or so of trip . Was not uncommon practice at the time. It was before northbound Africa trips were possible The truck was sold in Lesotho to Oxbow Lodge. (Information provided by Martin Watkinson. Photo extracted from the South America brochure.)

Q873NRO

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Ford Cargo’s 4×2

Q356NVS

Q985NUR

Q702NVS

This truck was completed mid-2000. It was the last truck built by Encounter Overland.

At Wren Park

At Wren Park

Between Quetta and Peshawar

Between Quetta and Peshawar

Baluchistan

Baluchistan

Camping in Bulgaria

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Land Rover Series 3

In 1987 a six-cylinder petrol Land Rover was prepared at Wren Park intended for expeditions in Tibet. Petrol was more available than diesel at the time in Tibet. However, for reasons now lost to memory, it was shipped instead to East Africa for the Africa Coast-to-Coast program. It was not a suitable vehicle for these trips and was eventually sold. (No photos currently available.) (Note: The Land Rover pictured in the 1987/88 Brochure (page 29) was a borrowed prop and not the EO Land Rover.)

South America Trucks

Bedford RLs

VXX205

VXX205

VXX207

VXX207

VXX207

VXX207

VXX207

VXX207

Dodge 500 Series (UK) 4×2

RHS301M

GMC 4×2

Y39839 (California registration)

Y39839 – built in Los Angeles by Ray Wolfe, Chris Moore and Bruce Davidson (and others unknown) in late 1975 – ready to depart for Central/South America. This truck had a gasoline engine which proved to be unsuitable for South America.

Y39839 – built in Los Angeles by Ray Wolfe, Chris Moore and Bruce Davidson (and others unknown) in late 1975 – ready to depart for Central/South America. This truck had a gasoline engine which proved to be unsuitable for South America.

Bedford KM 4×2

BVS504X

Bedford TL 4×2

D418MPP

D418MPP Peru and the Incas 1987/88 (Collin Penny (EM))

D418MPP Peru and the Incas 1987/88 (Collin Penny (EM))

D418MPP Peru and the Incas 1987/88 (Collin Penny (EM))

D418MPP Peru and the Incas 1987/88 (Collin Penny (EM))

Dodge Hi-Line 4×2

BVS968T

BVS968T became bogged while attempting a river crossing successfully negotiated just previously by another EO truck. Unable to be extricated over a number of days, in the end, it was destroyed by successive flash floods.

BVS969T

JNM602V

WBH648S

WBH648S before being shipped to South America. From left to right are Derek Biddle (cab), Penny Stone (looking through the front), Tony Jones (white T-shirt) and behind him is Jim McDonald (who didn’t stay with EO long). Col Livesey and Linda Banks are standing.

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Central America

Dodge Van

573ZQT (California registration)

573ZQT In the ‘Guatemala workshop’ on its first trip. Workshop stops were necessary all the way to Panama because of slipping automtic transmission and many other ills.

South East Asia Yacht ‘Gypsy’

Undergoing refit at Teluk Ansun (Malaysia) between May and August 1979

Himalaya Overland / Sundowners Overland Odysseys Coaches

Asia

CUT33T

Martin Blackgrove driving

DRT680T

DRT680T – nicknamed the ‘Pink Panther’. Driver on this trip was Steve Tester. The coach had to be transported across Iran from Pakistan to Turkey after it lost its air filter and suffered engine damage in the Baluchistan desert.

DRT680T – the day before departure October 1989

First tour group allowed in Khyber Pass

First tour group allowed in Khyber Pass

HEK919N

JTE91P

JTE91P parked up beside the International Hotel, Lahore after being rescued from the India/Pakistan Wagah border following the collapse of Sundowners. A new engine was shipped from the UK and installed with the generous assistance of the Water and Power Development Authority of Lahore.

Angus Scott-Knight who spent a few months in Lahore getting JTE back on the road again, painting over the Sundowners signage.

This photo, taken in early 1982, is of JTE being rowed across the river at Narianghat, Nepal (advised by Brian Hedley)

LYS505Y

LYS505Y is the Mercedes mini-bus 608D with trailer. Q397NPP (the Swiss Mountain Coach) is on the right. The photo was taken at a chai stop in Baluchistan. Carole Hayward is on the left and Andy Sutcliffe is in the centre.

Q397NPP

L to R: Mike Godfrey (possibly), Riff Ayers, Guy Franken, Shaun ??

LYS505Y is the Mercedes mini-bus 608D with trailer. Q397NPP (the Swiss Mountain Coach) is on the right. The photo was taken at a chai stop in Baluchistan. Carole Hayward is on the left and Andy Sutcliffe is in the centre.

TEF72M

TEF73M (left), Peter McAlister’s Old Bedford CJT185 (centre) and possibly TEF72M on right with a makeshift TATA front after altercation with a tow truck

TEF73M

TEF73M (left), Peter McAlister’s Old Bedford CJT185 (centre) and possibly TEF72M on right with a makeshift TATA front after altercation with a tow truck